Power Foods

Power Food: Ginger

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History

Ginger has long been used in many cultures such as China, Japan, and India. Since the 1500s, Ginger has been used for many ailments including asthma, colds, flus, and fatigue. Currently, ginger is commonly found in beverages, soaps, candles, cosmetics, and of course in many culinary dishes. As the Christmas season comes upon us, Ginger might be used in more baked goods or fragrances around the household. Though ginger normally accounts for less than 0.5% of the content in ginger – related baked goods, it is still worth mentioning the health benefits that can be derived from it.

Health Benefits

The health benefits of Ginger are quite extensive, and include effects on a variety of different organ systems.

  • Anti – emetic – alleviates nausea and vomiting
  • Anti – inflammatory – decreases inflammation
  • Anti – platelet agent – helps with blood disorders
  • Stimulant – helps combat fatigue, stress, and overwork
  • Carminative – helps promote digestion
  • Diaphoretic – helps bring down fevers
  • Anti – rheumatic – helps relieve pain
  • Anti – cancer – helps prevent cancer
  • Anti- oxidant – decreases oxidative stress
  • Bitter – increases digestion
  • Anti-spasmodic – decreases spasms in general
  • Hepatoprotective – protects the liver
  • Anti – microbial – fights off viruses and bacteria

Research

The research is quite extensive for ginger, including its benefit for chronic pain, PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome), menstrual cramps (Dysmenorrhea), nausea and vomiting (in cancer treatment, pregnancy, or in general), and in sickness. The research provided below is only a brief glance at the research that does exist for ginger and its medicinal use.

Ginger decreased nausea and vomiting in pregnancy within 1 day of treatment: (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.0004-8666.2003.00039.x/abstract?deniedAccessCustomisedMessage=&userIsAuthenticated=false).

Ginger decreased PMS symptoms within 3 months: (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4040198/).

Ginger decreased intensity of and duration of pain in menstrual cramping (dysmenorrhea) within 5 days: (http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/12/92/).

Cautions/Concerns

Though ginger can be quite useful medicinally, it can also be quite harmful in certain situations. Therefore, ginger should only be taken if advised by your health care provider. Specifically, ginger should be used with caution in those with diabetes (can cause blood sugars to dip too low), with gastrointestinal disorders (can irritate the stomach and esophagus), or on anti – coagulant or anti – platelet therapy.

In addition, some sources of ginger have been known to be contaminated with heavy metals and toxins, and so, one should always consider the source of their supplements or food products.

Have you benefitted from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, please book an appointment with Elisha Cook at the RSNC (416-498-9763), and let me help you achieve your health goals.

Berry Sunrise Smoothie

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Sunrise smoothiePacked full of antioxidants and nutrients, this smoothie is a great way to start off your day! I use a magic bullet for my smoothies, so the instructions are based on my mixing cup measurements

Ingredients

  • 1/3 Magic Bullet Cup Spinach
  • 1/3 Magic Bullet Cup Orange (cut up)
  • 1/3 Magic Bullet Cup Mixed Berries (I like to use blackberries and blueberries)
  • Almond Milk
  • ¼ Teaspoon Cinnamon (optional)
  • Protein Powder (optional)

Directions

  1. Place all of the fruits and veggies in your mixing cup.
  2. Add enough Almond milk that half of the cup is filled.
  3. Add the remainder of your ingredients.
  4. Mix/Blend, Serve, and Enjoy!

Note: If you add blueberries, it can make your smoothie into a form of a “sorbet” once settled. To reduce the thickness, you may need to add less blueberries and more water or milk.

Power Food: Garlic

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Garlic ClovesGarlic has been used for many centuries to prevent and treat diseases due to its health promoting properties. Historical documents have found that garlic was used to keep working class citizens strong and productive, as well as keep them free of abnormal growths or tumours, diarrhea, worms, and cardiovascular difficulties.

Currently, we know that Garlic has the following therapeutic actions, which makes it such a “Power Food”.

  • Antimicrobial – kill or inhibit growth of microorganisms
  • Antifungal – kills or inhibits growth of fungus
  • Diaphoretic – promotes sweating
  • Hypocholesteremic – lowers cholesterol
  • Cholagogue – promotes bile flow and digestion
  • Hypotensive – lowers blood pressure
  • Antispasmodic – relaxes smooth muscles

As a result of these therapeutic actions, garlic has the potential to prevent and treat infections of the respiratory system such as chronic bronchitis, recurrent colds and influenza, and can even be used as a broader approach to treating asthma. Garlic also works on the digestive system by killing bad bacteria and supporting good bacteria within it. It also affects the Gall Bladder by increasing the amount of bile secreted and therefore aiding in digestion and making it work more smoothly. This activation of the gall bladder also helps with the detoxification of the body.

Many studies have also shown the benefits of using garlic to treat hypertension, and overall, lower blood pressure. Along with aiding those with high blood pressure, garlic also reduces bad cholesterol (low density lipoproteins [LDLs]) and increases good cholesterol (high density lipoproteins [HDLs]), and protects against plaque build-up in the blood vessels.

So you might be asking, what health conditions can garlic prevent and what can it be used to treat in my daily life? To begin with, Garlic could aid in preventing Atherosclerosis, Hypertension (high blood pressure), Myocardial Infarction (heart attack), and stroke. In regards to using garlic in every day life, not only can garlic be added to meals, but also used as a treatment for your skin. Garlic can be applied to the skin to treat ring worm, warts, and athlete’s foot (just do not use the garlic in your cooking afterwards).

The next time you see garlic, do not merely think of it as a vampire deterring bulb, but rather a health promoting addition to your diet!

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, please book an appointment with Elisha Cook at the RSNC today and let me help you achieve your health goals.

3 Ingredients to add to Smoothies to Boost Health Benefits

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Fresh Vegetable SmoothieA smoothie can be a great way to get plenty of health products into our bodies in a concise form. Other than including the fruits and veggies you already include in your morning smoothie, there are some additional ingredients that you can add for more impact on your health. The following three ingredients are great add-ins to any smoothie, not only for taste, but also for their health benefits.

1.   Flax Seed – The Harmonizer

Flax seed is a great addition to your smoothie for the many different health benefits is can provide. I have called it “the Harmonizer” because it has a great impact on harmonizing the different hormones in your body that might be too much or too little. It balances them out promoting more tranquility in your body. Digestion can also be aided Flax seed also contains essential fatty acids which are important in cardiovascular and brain health. Two table spoons of flax seed can be effectively added to smoothies to get the health benefits from this little seed. The flax seed should be ground up and should be stored in the freezer in order to keep it from going rancid.

  1. Coconut Oil – The Energizer

Not only can coconut oil add a smooth taste to your smoothie, but it can also provide some health benefits as well. Coconut oil is considered a healthy fat and contains medium chain fatty acids, which have been shown to provide energy. These fats provide fuel for the brain and are also beneficial for cholesterol levels. Try adding one to two tablespoons in your morning smoothie for that boost you need!

  1. Spinach – The Power House

You might find it odd the thought of putting veggies in your smoothie, particularly the veggie deemed famous through Pop-Eye. However adding this veggie to your smoothie does not change the taste of the smoothie (try it out)! I like to call this ingredient “The Power House” because of the punch of nutrition that this veggie can provide! Spinach is a good source of iron, folic acid, vitamin B6, nitrates, oxalates, beta-carotene, and lutein! Spinach is also a veggie that has anti-inflammatory benefits! Try adding one to two cups of spinach into your smoothie to get the most impact out of your smoothie!

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, please book an appointment with Elisha Cook at the RSNC today and let me help you achieve your health goals.